A taxonomic revision of Calotropis (Asclepiadaceae)

The genus Calotropis of the tribe Asclepiadeae of Asclepiadaceae subfamily Ascle-piadoideae is revised throughout its Tange in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. The three species recognized are keyed out, illustrated and described with appropriate bibliography, synonymy, notes on ecology, distribution and uses. Distribution maps for the species are provided. The taxonomic position of the genus is discussed and a historical review is provided.     

The circumscription of Karimbolea Descoings (Asclepiadaceae)

The hitherto monotypic and isolated Madagascan genus Karimbolea is redefined. One species is added to the genus and the new combination K. macrantha (Jum. & H. Perrier) Liede & Meve is provided. The unusual erect orientation of the pollinia in the type species, K. verrucosa, is interpreted as secondary shift from a pendulous position (tribe Asclepiadeae) rather than an indication for affinities with tribes characterized by erect pollinia (Stapelieae, Marsdenieae).     

Pollination systems in the Asclepiadaceae: a survey and preliminary analysis

Using published and unpublished records of pollination in the dicot family Asclepiadaceae (the 'milkweeds') we offer a preliminary analysis of present-day pollination systems in the family. Variation in principal pollinators is apparent at and below the tribal level. The tribes Marsdenieae and Stapelieae and Asclepiadeae subtribe Gonolobineae are primarily Diptera-pollinated, a tentative conclusion also for the tribe Periploceae, and we emphasize the ubiquity and importance of fly pollination in the family. The rest of the tribe Asclepiadeae is pollinated in the main by Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. Lack of data makes it impossible to draw even initial conclusions for the remaining tribes, Secamoneae and Fockeeae. Within the Asclepiadeae, there has been a trend towards more diverse pollination systems (incorporating butterflies and wasps) in the New World compared to the Old World. In terms of the taxonomic breadth of pollinators of individual species, Stapelieae is the most specialized tribe. We emphasize that this is only a preliminary account of pollination in the Asclepiadaceae, and detail areas where further work is urgently required.     

Myth and reality of the subtribe Astephaninae (Decne.) Schumann (Asclepiadaceae)

The subtribe Astephaninae (tribe Asclepiadeae, Asclepiadaceae) is recircumscribed to contain 11 genera: Astephanus, Blyttia, Diplostigma, Goydera, Aiicroloma, Oncinema, Pentatropis, Pteurosteima, Rhyncharrhena, Schizostephanus, and Tylophoropsis. Following a character analysis, phylogeny was analysed by means of a computerized parsimony program (HENNIG86). Astephanus /Microloma is identified as the most stable clade, followed by Tylophopropsis/Pentatropis/Rhyncharrhena, Blyttia/Diplostigma and Schizostephanus/Goydera. A key to the genera is presented, as well as notes on distribution, important characters, and present state of knowledge for each genus. The genus Schizostephanus is resurrected and four new combinations are proposed.     

Phylogenetic position of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxygyne shinzatoi</Emphasis> (Burmanniaceae) inferred from 18S rDNA sequences

The genus Oxygyne comprises three species disjunctly distributed in Africa and Japan and is the least examined genus of the Burmanniaceae due to the scarcity of living material. We obtained living samples of Oxygyne shinzatoi and examined the phylogenetic position of this species on the basis on the 18S rDNA sequence. Oxygne shinzatoi was consistently found to belong to the monophyletic group of tribe Thismieae, but its position in the tribe differed depending on the criteria applied (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference). Distance analysis from the most recent common ancestor indicated that O. shinzatoi had the lowest substitution rate among the species of tribe Thismieae. Combined with recent knowledge of basic chromosome numbers and substitution rate characteristics, O. shinzatoi can be considered to be one of the basal taxon of tribe Thismieae.     

A taxonomic revision of Encyclia (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) in Costa Rica

A taxonomic revision of Encyclia (Orchidaceae) in Costa Rica is presented. The taxonomic history of the genus and its phylogenetic position are discussed. Characters of vegetative and floral morphology are described and their taxonomic significance is discussed. The genus is treated as comprising nine species in the country and a key to species is provided. Each taxon is described on the basis of Costa Rican material, illustrated in a composite plate, and its distribution within the country is assessed. Distribution maps for all the taxa are given. Overall distribution, derivation of name, synonymy, notes on species ecology and diagnostic features are presented for each taxon. The names Encyclia tonduziana and Epidendrum mooreanum are typified. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 395–448.     

INVESTIGATIONS OF ANGIOSPERMS FROM THE EOCENE OF NORTH AMERICA: RHAMNUS MARGINATUS (RHAMNACEAE) REEXAMINED

Leaf compressions, previously assigned to Rhamnus marginatus Lesquereux, were collected from the Middle Eocene Claiborne Formation of western Kentucky and Tennessee. The leaf architecture and cuticular features of over 40 compressions were carefully examined and compared to those of many extant species of Rhamnaceae and related families as well as fossil specimens previously assigned to this taxon. This leaf type appears to belong to the Rhamnaceae, however, it conforms more closely to species of several genera in the tribe Zizypheae than to those of Rhamnus or other genera in the tribe Rhamneae. Confident assignment to any specific genus within this complex of genera cannot be made on the basis of leaf characteristics alone and would require discovery and analysis of additional vegetative and reproductive organs. Because this fossil leaf form cannot be confidently assigned to any modern genus and earlier classifications appear to be improper, this leaf type has been reassigned to the taxon Berhamniphyllum claibornense gen. et sp. nov. The transfer of this leaf form at the tribe level reaffirms the need for close examination of taxonomic determinations made by early workers.     

THE SYSTEMATICS AND ANATOMY OF GONGYLOCARPUS (ONAGRACEAE)

The unique fruiting structures of the closely related, principally Mexican, monotypic genera Gongylocarpus and Burragea (Onagraceae) compelled a detailed anatomical and cytological investigation of these plants which led to the conclusion that they should be included in a single genus, Gongylocarpus. Gongylocarpus fruticulosus (Burragea), endemic to two adjacent islands off the west coast of Baja California, is divided into two subspecies, subsp. fruticulosus and subsp. glaber. The vegetative and floral anatomy, including wood anatomy, of both species is described. The fruits of these two species grow into the stem by meristematic activity during the course of ontogeny, the ovaries in the mature flower being superficial and sessile in the leaf axil. There is no pedicel associated with the flower, but only a branch gap. Meristematic tissue at the base of the locules divides rapidly at a relatively late ontogenetic stage, the ovaries growing downward into the stem and crushing the pith. The mature, heavily sclerenchymatous fruits are located wholly within the stem, and in G. fruticulosus they are aggregated into long chains. Both species have a gametic chromosome number of n = 11, a characteristic otherwise unknown in the tribe Onagreae but shared with other generalized groups in the family. Taken together with other features, this suggests a primitive position within the tribe for Gongylocarpus.     

Rhodothyrsus, a new genus of Euphorbiaceae from tropical South America

The new genusRhodothyrsus is proposed, based on the AmazonianSenefeldera macrophylla Ducke but also containing another newly described species,Rhodothyrsus hirsutus from northwestern Venezuela. The genus is a member of the tribe Hippomaneae of the Euphorbiaceae and apparently related toSenefeldera, but its closest relationships are still obscure, because the phylogeny of the tribe is poorly known and most of the significant characters ofRhodothyrsus are probably autapomorphies or symplesiomorphies. The restriction to tropical lowland rain forests is rare within the Hippomaneae, and several floral characters, pointing to a specialized pollination possibly by butterflies, are unique in the tribe.     

Phylogenetic significance of stylar features in genus Vicia (Leguminosae): an analysis with molecular phylogeny

Tribe Fabeae consists of five genera, Lathyrus (160 spp.), Lens (4–6 spp.), Pisum (2–3 spp.), Vavilovia (monotypic), and Vicia (160 spp.), and shows a diversity in stylar features. At least six different stylar types are known in the tribe. In order to reclassify the tribe at the rank of genus, we tried to discover apomorphies in stylar features using a molecular phylogenetic study. We surveyed internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA of representative species, selected from each group having different types of styles in the tribe. We paid particular attention in sampling to members of Vicia section Vicilla, as stylar features are heterogeneous within this section. Consequently, our sample set included 15 species of section Vicilla, 23 species of other Fabeae, and two species of Trifolieae, which were used as a sister group of Fabeae. Based on our analysis, we found that a laterally compressed style and an abaxially tufted hairy style would be advanced against a dorsiventrally compressed style and an evenly hairy style, respectively, in genus Vicia. The species group, which shares the latter apomorphy, is composed of 56 species and was dispersed into 11 sections of two subgenera in the recent system of genus Vicia. We consider future revision of Fabeae should treat this species group as a single higher taxon.     

Redescription of Acanthaegilips Ashmead, 1897, with characterization of the Anacharitinae and Aspiceratinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae)

We redescribe the South American genus Acanthaegilips Ashmead, 1897 and discuss its phylogenetic position within the Figitidae (sensu lata). The genus was originally placed in the Anacharitinae but shows affinities with both the Anacharitinae and the Aspiceratinae in the characters used currendy to separate figitid subfamilies. In a recent revision of the higher‐level classification of cynipoids, Acanthaegilips was separated from the remainder of the Anacharitinae and placed in a monotypic higher‐level taxon. We analyse the morphological differences between die Anacharitinae and Aspiceratinae and their bearing on the monophyly of the two subfamilies and the placement of Acanthaegilips. We conclude that, after removal of Seitneria and Paraegilips from the Anacharitinae, both subfamilies are well defined monophyletic groups and that Acanthaegilips belongs to the Anacharitinae, within which it forms a monophyletic group together with the South American genera Calofigites Kieffer, 1909 and Solenofigites Diaz, 1979.     

Changes in the suprageneric classification of Lasiocampidae (Lepidoptera) based on the nucleotide sequence of gene EF-1α

The nucleotide sequences of nuclear gene EF-1α were determined for 49 species of Lasiocampidae from Eurasia and Africa. Based on these data, the phylogeny of the family was reconstructed using the minimum evolution, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods. The molecular genetic research confirms the monophyly of Malacosominae which is treated as a separate subfamily. The genus Euthrix appears to be paraphyletic. The group of genera similar to Arguda, previously united with Odonestis in the tribe Odonestini, proved to be a separate lineage; contrary to the earlier assumption, the genera do not seem to be related. On the other hand, the genera Argonestis and Odonestis were found to be closely related and therefore were placed in the same tribe. The position of the genus Macrothylacia remains obscure. The genus Stoermeriana de Fr. et Witt is also para- or polyphyletic and consists of several independent lineages whose status remains to be determined. The new classification supports synonymization of Pinarinae with Lasiocampinae. The rank of subfamily is not supported for the Neotropical Macromphaliinae, which is downgraded to a tribe, Macromphaliini stat. n., within Poecilocampinae. The genus Hypopacha, previously considered within Macromphaliinae, is transferred to Poecilocampini; the close relation between Poecilocampini and Macromphaliini is additionally supported by the presence of a member of Poecilocampini in the New World. A new tribe, Argudini Zolotuhin trib. n., is established.     

Molecular Phylogeny of Rhizophoraceae Based on rbcL Gene Sequences

rbcL sequences to clarify the inter- and intrarelationships of Rhizophoraceae which have been variously discussed. The analyses included 12 of the 15 genera of Rhizophoraceae (4/7 of Macarisieae, 4/4 of Gynotrocheae, and 4/4 of Rhizophoreae) and a few putatively related taxa, including two of the four genera of Anisophylleaceae. The most parsimonious trees supported the monophyly of Rhizophoraceae as well as each of the three traditionally recognized tribes Macarisieae, Gynotrocheae, and Rhizophoreae. The family Rhizophoraceae is a sister taxon to Erythroxylum (Erythroxylaceae) and is further closely related to Byrsonima (Malpighiaceae), Passiflora (Passifloraceae), Turnera (Turneraceae), Ochna (Ochnaceae), Drypetes (Euphorbiaceae), and Humiria (Humiriaceae). Anisophylleaceae, which have often been included in Rhizophoraceae as a tribe or subfamily, are placed in a common clade with Begonia (Begoniaceae), Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae), Coriaria (Coriariaceae), Corynocarpus (Corynocarpaceae), Datisca (Datiscaceae), Tetrameles (Datiscaceae), and Octomeles (Datiscaceae). Within Rhizophoraceae the mangrove tribe Rhizophoreae is sister to the inland tribe Gynotrocheae, with inland tribe Macarisieae positioned as a sister taxon to these two tribes. This pattern of relationships within the family basically agrees with those suggested by cladistic analyses based on morphological characters, except that Gynotrocheae are monophyletic with Crossostylis as a derived taxon within the tribe in the present study. Based on this cladogram for Rhizophoraceae, we discuss evolutionary trends of a few ecological and morphological characters, including the formation of aerial roots and the ovary position. Received 12 August 1999/ Accepted in revised form 11 October 1999     

Implications of Seed Proteins in Brassicaceae Systematics

Seed proteins of eleven species of Brassicaceae were investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In total 50 different bands were identified. Some of the bands are characteristic and represent constant markers of each species, which allow the unequivocal identification of their electrophoregram. The obtained data have been treated numerically using the cluster analysis method of unweighed pair group (UPGMA). The electrophoregram gives support to the idea that the tribe Sisymbrieae is an unnatural group and suggests its merge with the tribe Brassiceae. On the other hand the distinct position of Zilla spinosa in the dendrograms supports the traditional treatment of this taxon as a monotypic subtribe Zillinae.     

Phylogenetics of tribe Sabiceeae (Ixoroideae,Rubiaceae) revisited,with a new subgeneric classification for Sabicea

Tribe Sabiceeae (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) has undergone recent taxonomical changes with the incorporation of the related genera Ecpoma, Pseudosabicea and Stipularia into the type genus Sabicea. We use phylogenetic analysis and morphological data to verify the relationships among members of the tribe, including the most comprehensive taxon sampling of the tribe to date with 74 of 145 species. Sequence data from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and three plastid markers (petD, rps16, trnT–F) were used to infer relationships among the members of the tribe. Individual analyses using maximum likelihood, parsimony and Bayesian approaches reveal several supported clades: the former genus Stipularia is resolved as a monophyletic unit, but Ecpoma is monophyletic only if Sabicea urbaniana and Sabicea xanthotricha are included (corresponding to Sabicea subgenus Stipulariopsis sensu Wernham). Pseudosabicea is biphyletic, with one clade corresponding to section Anisophyllae of Hallé (1964) and the other one to the other sections (Floribundae and Sphaericae) of the genus. Eleven morphological characteristics were recorded for all species studied and seven have been mapped onto the phylogenetic tree to study their evolution in the group and assess their value for the classification of Sabicea s.l. Finally, our study shows that a combination of diagnostic characteristics should be used to differentiate each group and we propose to recognise four subgenera in Sabicea.     

Molecular phylogeny of the grass genus Brachypodium P. Beauv. based on RFLP and RAPD analysis

Nuclear genome analysis using RFLPs and RAPDs has been assessed within different species of the genus Brachypodium P. Beauv. and representatives of other grasses in order to determine the characteristics of the Brachypodium genome and to establish its evolutionary position in relation to other Pooideae. Distinctive features of the Brachypodium genome are its small size, the low amount of repetitive DNA, the lack of restriction fragment length polymorphisms within the genus for the assayed probe/enzyme combinations, and the genomic variability demonstrated at species level by random DNA amplification. These molecular studies confirm Brachypodium as an isolated ancient genus best placed in its own tribe (Brachypodieae). Its relationships to other tribes Bromeae, Triticeae, Poeae are resolved, Brachypodieae being the earliest tribe to diverge from this core of pooids. Within the genus two major Old World clades are distinguishable: an annual clade, represented only by B. distachyon; and a perennial clade, represented by all the other species studied (except B. mexicanum). The perennial American species B. mexicanum appears equally attached to these two clades. RFLP data were found to be useful in obtaining phylogenies at generic and higher rank levels, whereas the highly variable RAPD data were more suitable for resolving interspecific and intraspecific evolutionary pathways.     

The tribe Bryocorini (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae): phylogeny,description of a new genus,and adaptive radiation on ferns

A cladistic analysis of the tribe Bryocorini based on 68 morphological characters is conducted. Bryocorini are supported as a monophyletic group with Eccritotarsini as their sister taxon. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, we redefine the tribe Bryocorini to contain the following seven genera: Bryocorella Carvalho, 1956, Bryocoris Fallén, 1829, Bryophilocapsus Yasunaga, 2000, Cobalorrhynchus Reuter, 1906 gen. dist., D iplazicoris gen. nov. , Hekista Kirkaldy, 1902, and Monalocoris Dahlbom, 1851. The genus Bryocorella is transferred to Bryocorini from the tribe Eccritotarsini. The subgenus Cobalorrhynchus is treated as a separate genus. Diplazicoris is described as monotypic to accommodate D iplazicoris lombokianus sp. nov. An updated diagnosis of the tribe, a key to genera, and a diagnosis of each recognized genus are presented. Selected photomicrographs, scanning micrographs, and illustrations of the pretarsus, metepisternal scent efferent system, metafemoral trichobothria, and morphology of head, pronotum, and male and female genitalia are provided. Mapping of the host data on the revealed tree shows that Bryocorini represent one of the very few currently known examples of the adaptive radiation of a fairly large insect group on ferns. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

What is the subtribe Glossonematinae (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae)? A phylogenetic study based on cpDNA spacer

Evidence from the chloroplast trn T-L spacer, trn L intron and trn L-F spacer shows the subtribe Glossonematinae of the tribe Asclepiadeae, hitherto composed of the Arabian and North African genera Glossonema , Odontanthera and Solenostemma , not to be monophyletic. While the affinities of Solenostemma cannot be determined with certainty at present, molecular, karyological and morphological evidence suggests that Glossonema and Odontanthera are closely allied to Pentarrhinum , an African genus of five species, belonging to the Cynanchinae.  © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 139 , 145–158.